What’s the average size of a male reproductive organ? The burning question every culture secretly ponders now has a scientific answer. Researchers trolled through 17 studies with data of more than 15,000 men and reached a conclusion about the average size of a man’s penis across the world.

The research shows the average length of an erect penis is 5.16 inches (13.12 cm), and 3.6 inches (9.16 cm) when flaccid. Surprisingly, the findings go widely against the widely accepted norm that the average penis length is six inches.

Apart from the length, researchers also studied other aspects of the male member – the girth. The research shows, the average erect penis is 4.59 inches (11.66 cm) around when erect, and 3.66 inches (9.31cm) when flaccid.

Scientists at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) tracked penis lengths and girths ranging from 1.9 inches (4.8 cm) when erect up to 8.3 inches (21.2 cm).

Speaking about the numbers, British researchers who had assembled data from studies where participants had their penis measured by a professional said, “These wide ranges of penis size should help reassure the large majority of men that the size of their penis is in the normal range.”

The team has also taken the trouble to collate the numbers and devise an illustrative graph that doctors can find quite handy when counseling men with small penis anxiety. They said that the analysis of the data, including graphs showing a range of sizes, would be able to shed new light on what is considered normal penis size.

Worst sufferers of the ‘small penis anxiety’ have what is medically termed as ‘body dysmorphic disorder’ – a debilitating psychological condition that can lead to obsessive and anti-social behavior, depression and sometimes even suicide.

For men who have always obsessed about their size, majority of them think they measure in smaller than average. The study shows only 2.28 percent of the male population have an abnormally small penis. Interestingly, it is the same percentage of males with an abnormally large one. To ensure the study was a comprehensive one, participants were men aged 17 to 91. These men had their penises measured in 20 previously published studies conducted in Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States.

Dispelling popular myths, the team found no evidence for penis size differences linked to race. Nor did the researchers find any convincing correlation between a man’s foot size and the length of his penis. However, the researchers do admit that since the study was voluntary, men who agreed to have their penis measured may be more confident in their penis size than the general population.

Apart from busting beliefs, researchers hope their findings will help design better fitting condoms and aide the contraceptive industry.